Belly Dance

Exotic, flowing, graceful, belly dance is one of the oldest forms of dance. It’s also a non-impact, weight-bearing exercise and is suitable for all ages, with a whole range of benefits for health (see just a few listed below). Above all, belly dance is fun, and a great way to meet others and express your inner self!

Over the 6 weeks of the class, beginners will learn the classic moves, hip flicks, hip turns, figure of 8s – and how to shimmy. Beyond beginner students will move to the next layer and delve into veil work. Both groups will learn a short choreographed piece to perform for family and friends!

Sally O’Loughlin has been dancing for 22 years and teaching for 20. Dancing under the name Amina, she spent three years as part of a troupe and has taught in her own private studio. She brings a wealth of experience and a sense of fun to her classes – and a commitment to making belly dancing a rich and rewarding experience for everybody. Sally has taught students aged 4 to 84 – age is no barrier.

This course is for women only – you can expect a nurturing, no-fear environment.

What to wear: Skirt, loose clothing, scarf around your hips , no shoes during the class. If you have a veil bring one along!

Benefits: Belly dance is a non-impact, weight-bearing exercise and is thus suitable for all ages. It is a good exercise for the prevention of osteoporosis in older people. Many of the moves involve isolations, which improves flexibility of the torso. Belly dance moves are beneficial to the spine, as the full-body moves lengthens (decompress) and strengthens the entire column of spinal and abdominal muscles in a gentle way. Belly dancing is natural to a woman’s bone and muscle structure with movements emanating from the torso rather than in the legs and feet. The dance often focuses upon isolating different parts of the body, moving them independently in sensuous patterns, weaving together the entire feminine form.